In the market for a racing or cruising yacht? It’s been another bumper year for the boatbuilding industry… Sam Jefferson casts his eye over the latest launches.

New Yachts: Cruising

Wauquiez 55

Wauquiez is a marque that has been much revered in cruising circles since they first started building elegant cruisers back in the 1960s. Their new 55 boat is definitely intriguing and one of the striking features is the centre cockpit with the helm offset to port under a well protected solid plexiglass sprayhood.  Another interesting feature is the option of a swing keel which gives you an almighty 4.2m of draft when lowered and 1.6m when raised. Aside from that, the boat dares to be different by supplying two Volvo D2 engines as standard.  The interior looks extremely spacious and Lombard has capitalised on full forward sections and plenty of beam to ensure that there is a huge interior space. In addition, the centre cockpit allows for a huge aft owner’s cabin.

wauquiez.com

Moody 48 DS

Moody has been under German ownership as part of the Hanse group for many years now and offers a different sort of cruiser in quality deck saloon cruisers which are designed by Judel/Vrolijk. The new 48 is the first new launch they have made since their 41 2017 and fits between the Moody 45 and 54 in their range. As you’d expect, this is a boat that is big on space and comfort, featuring a big, beamy hull with twin rudders. Performance has not been neglected, however, because she sports a generous rig to push her 21,000kg displacement through the water. 

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

Hanse 590

Hanse Yachts broke with go to designer of many years Judel/Vrolijk a couple of years back and this was the catalyst behind the launch of a new generation of Hanses designed by the French team of Berret/Racoupeau. In addition to a marked change in styling, with inverted ‘dreadnought bow and hard chines aft giving the boats a more angular look, the main drive seemed to be to up the quality of the boats down below – which was certainly achieved. The new 590 is their biggest boat yet of this new generation and offers easy sailing on a big scale. The new boat features an optional hard top bimini, a tender garage and acres of space down below. The boat will be officially unveiled at Cannes Boat show and promises to be a head turner.

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

New Cruising Yacht: Maxus 35

Maxus Yachts is a Polish company that made its name. building small trailerable yachts to sail on the Masurian lakes not far from the Russian border. Now the company has moved up a size bracket and their new 35 is bigger and aimed more at offshore sailing than previous designs. The result is a spacious yacht with striking styling and a semi deck saloon arrangement that bathes the saloon with natural light. It all points to promises decent performance and accommodation at a highly competitive price. 

northman.pl

Dufour 44

French manufacturer Dufour has really pumped up the volume with its latest generation of yachts. The new Umberto Felci designed 44 follows on from the 37 and 41 which have already drawn plaudits thanks to their remarkable ability to create internal volume without looking overly dumpy. The 44 continues in this vein boasting plentiful beam aft and full sections at the bow above the waterline. The interior is positively palatial and there is a choice of three or four cabin layouts.

dufour-yachts.com

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 is the successor to the 349 which was actually launched way back in 2013. At 34’1” excluding the bowsprit she is the starter boat in the range and viewed by the French manufacturer as offering a gateway into sailing for young families.

The boat is designed by Marc Lombard and Piaton Yacht design and, as you’d expect the lines are bang up to date, offering plenty of internal volume via fuller forward sections. Like its predecessor the 349, the new boat is available with a swing keel – a real boon in UK waters. The interior is really quite large and there is the option of twin doubles aft plus a double forward. 

jeanneau.com

Elan GT6 Explorer

The Elan GT6 was a very stylish fast cruiser from drawing board of rob Humphreys that has been very well received since its launch. The GT6 Explorer is, as you can imagine a variation on this theme but the manufacturers have identified rthe potential of the boat as a fast blue water cruiser and built on that. As such, the boat fuel and water tankage has been boosted as has battery power. There is also the option of an all electric version utilising Oceanvolt’s pioneering technology. 

elan-yachts.com

Xc47

It has been some years since Danish manufacturers X Yachts realised that if they offered a de tuned Xc cruising range alongside its out and out performance yachts, it would massively enlarge its customer base. The project was a huge success and the Xc range is now into its second generation with the launch of the Xc47. The new launch is one of the first since X Yachts divorce from founder and chief designer Niels Jeppesen and the result is a yacht that leans heavily towards the cruising market, featuring something not far from a deck saloon. The hull lines feature plenty of beam aft and there has obviously been a very conscious effort to up the cruising ante. That said, the boat retains a powerful rig and weight has been kept reasonably modest.

x-yachts.com

New Yachts: Racing

CF 580 Ran 8

Ran 8 is one of the latest launches from the drawing board of Shaun Carkeek and is a boat that has already cut a dash by taking overall and line honours in the RORC Channel Race. This is a boat that comes from the same mould as Oystercatcher XXXV, launched to much fanfare in 2021. The new boat boasts an uprated water ballast system which is designed to reduce the number of crew required from eight to seven. In addition to this, electric propulsion has been introduced. 

The boat is not designed to one particular set of rules and the main aim is simply to design a boat that will go as fast as possible in a range of conditions. The result is a boat optimised for offshore conditions, in which she will be somewhat quicker than a TP52. 

carkeekdesignpartners.com

Jeanneau Sun Fast 30

The Sun Fast 30 is a VPLP project who have teamed up with Multiplast to produce a strict one design yacht at what Jeanneau feels is a competitive price. The new boat features full forward sections married to light (2,700kg) displacement, twin rudders and flat aft sections to provide a boat that planes easily and early. The boat is available in two versions: One Design and Club. The one design version features a carbon mast mainsheet track and uprated electronics pack. The Club version has an aluminium mast and a bridle for the mainsheet. The aim is to make it more affordable to club racers.

jeanneau.com

Clubswan 28: Racing

The Clubswan 28 is a something of a break from tradition for Nautor Swan who have never produced a yacht this small. She rounds off their ClubSwan range and is a pure one design racer set up for four crew. At 1000kg, this Juan Kouyoumdijan design is going to be fast but she appears to be much less technical than boats higher up the range, eschewing foils and keeping things as simple as possible. There is no accommodation.

nautorswan.com

Reichel/Pugh 56 Vasara

The design house of Reichel/Pugh has produced some memorable yachts over the years and  the design brief here was for a fast, competitive yacht that was also comfortable and luxuriously appointed down below. There are a number of interesting touches. Most notably, a split backstay and square topped mainsail can be switched out for a single backstay and standard main when cruising. The keel has a substantial 4.1m depth but this can be raised to 2.4m for entering port. The interior is constructed almost exclusively out of carbon but a thin veneer of wood is placed over this to soften things up. The result is a sleek and versatile racer/cruiser.

reichel-pugh.com

New Yachts: Bluewater Cruisers

Bestavaer 36

Bestavaer Yachts is a Dutch boatbuilder specialising in steel construction. They are reputed for building handsome steel ‘go anywhere’ yachts, generally in the 50-70’ bracket. The announcement of an all new 36 footer is therefore something of a surprise and not an unwelcome one. The new boat marries a big rig with a decent displacement ot provide a boat that is both seaworthy but none too slow. As with her bigger sisters, the 36 is designed to be a very practical ctuiser and is therefore equipped with a swing keel which will allow her to take the ground when required and the draft is a mere 0.7m with the board up and a substantial 2.4m with the board down.

bestavaer.com

Boreal 70

Boreal Yachts sit in that very French cadre of utilitarian aluminium ‘go anywhere’ yachts much loved by soul sailors who idolise Moitessier and dream of communing with the albatross. Yet these soul sailors seem to have developed a taste for a spot of luxury too and the Boreal 70 is typical of the latest iteration of these hardy swing keel boats in that she is huge and surprisingly well appointed, boating such luxuries as a dishwasher should you so wish to choose that option. Sacre bleu! Nevertheless, this is a tough go anywhere cruiser which is at home in the tropics or the high latitudes. 

boreal-yachts.com

Hallberg Rassy 69

Swedish manufacturer Hallberg Rassy is an institution in the world of blue water cruising. Yet it’s an institution that isn’t afraid to evolve and many were shocked when the boatbuilder started to introduce twin rudders and broader aft sections to its designs. The 69 is another step forward, being the largest boat ever built by the Swedes and nudging towards the cadre of pocket superyacht. The boat is designed by German Frers and features a big rig and contemporary lines familiar to those who are familiar with the most recent launches from the yard. The difference with the 69 is she is just a lot bigger and more luxurious. Far not though, the trademark Hallberg Rassy armchairs are still an option.

hallberg-rassy.com

Contest 63CS

Dutch boatbuilder Contest is famed for building high quality blue water cruisers and their all new 63CS looks straight out of that playbook. Designed by their go to nabal architects Judel/Vrolijk, this is a big, luxurious cruising yacht that will boat good performance particularly for those who love a spot of tradewind sailing. This is a centre cockpit yacht with a relatively modest 31,900kg displacement and a decent sail area pointing to a very versatile long distance cruiser.

contestyachts.com

New Yachts: Performance Cruisers

Grand Soleil Blue

Italian manufacturer Grand Soleil seems to have been producing ever larger cruiser/racers so news of the launch of the Grand soleil Blue, a 30’ weekender is welcome. The boat is very interesting as it is the first fully recyclable production yacht built in Italy and features biodegradable resins in construction meaning that the boat ban be separated out and re used at the end of the boats life. The boat also features and electric motor and sails made of recycled materiels. The design is clearly performance oriented but there is pleasant and stylish weekend accommodation.

grandsoleil.net

Saffier SL 46

Dutch manufacturer Saffier Yachts has specialised in turning out fast, stylish weekend sailers with an emphasis on performance and ease of use. That is, until now. By launching the new SL 46 the boatbuilders has moved into an altogether new realm as this boat is unquestionably a cruiser/racer capable of offshore passages. This is an intriguing move, as it pitches Saffier against a plethora of established operators such as Grand Soleil, Italia Yachts, even Beneteau and Jeanneau. Anyway, the SL 46 looks the part, featuring modern aggressive styling couple to a big rig, light displacement and a deep, T-shaped keel. The interior looks stylish and luxurious and the boat is available with the option of a tender garage – something of an oddity in a 46 footer. 

saffieryachts.com

Tofinou 7.9

The new Tofinou 7.9 follows in the vein of other yachts in their range in that she is a performance oriented modern classic day sailer. As the name suggests, the boat is 7.9m making her the smallest boat in the range and she is available with a swing keel or fixed T shaped keel. The boat is available with an electric outboard or a diesel inboard and offers a blend of lustrous woods and light carbon laminates which gives the boat a classy air while also promising exhilarating sailing. There is also a small double berth forward if you do want to spend a night afloat.

tofinou.com

RM 1080

La Rochelle based RM Yachts has made a name for itself by being the last company standing when it comes to the mass production of epoxy/ply yachts. This is partly because it’s hideously complicated to put together an epoxy/ply yacht. The result, however, is a lightweight yacht that is stiff and strong. RM has made a name for building sporty cruiser/racers with the option of lift, fixed or bilge keels. The 1080 is a welcome mid sized addition to their range. Designed by Marc Lombard, the 1080 features plenty of beam aft, fullish forward sections and generous sail area. The looks are distinctive and the cockpit layout is innovative plus interior space is impressive.

rm-yachts.com

New Yachts on Show

• Cannes Boat Show 2024: Top Six New Boats
• Southampton Boat Show 2024: Top 6 New Boats

The post New Yachts on the Market: Latest Racing & Cruising Designs appeared first on Sailing Today.

With September comes the famous Cannes Yachting Festival, and this year it’s set to host an eclectic nearly 700 boats, from 5 to 50 metres, shown ashore for less than 10 metres and on-water beyond 10 metres. From sailing yachts or motor, monohull or multihull, rigid or semi-rigid hull, this boat show is a true spectacle.

Cannes Boat Show 2024

Here are some of the new boats that will be at Cannes Boat Show… there’s a huge range, but these are our Editor’s 6 top picks…

Best New Boats on Show: Editor’s Picks

Neo 430

Italian boatbuilder Neo Yachts seems to have made a conscious decision to stick to national stereotypes by producing a range of delightful fast cruiser/racers. The 430 Roma is the latest addition to their range and features striking styling, all carbon construction and a big sail area – all adding up to blistering performance. The interior is modest but stylishly fitted out and it all adds up to a 43 footer well capable of attaining high speeds while also being relatively easy to handle.

neoyachts.com

Cannes Boat Show: Xc47

It has been some years since Danish manufacturers X Yachts realised that if they offered a de tuned Xc cruising range alongside its out and out performance yachts, it would massively enlarge its customer base. The project was a huge success and the Xc range is now into its second generation with the launch of the Xc47. The new launch is one of the first since X Yachts divorce from founder and chief designer Niels Jeppesen and the result is a yacht that leans heavily towards the cruising market, featuring something not far from a deck saloon. The hull lines feature plenty of beam aft and there has obviously been a very conscious effort to up the cruising ante. That said, the boat retains a powerful rig and weight has been kept reasonably modest.

x-yachts.com

ITA 15.49

ITA is an Italian manufacturer that has built some fine performance cruising cats. Up until recently their range of yachts seemed a tad threadbare, consisting solely of  their stylish, fast and comfortable 14.99. Happily their range has now been augmented by the launch of the new 15.49 which will be available to view at the show. As you can imagine, she sticks to the template of the 14.99 and is therefore a fast blue water cruising catamaran with foils to improve sailing to windward and also a set up optimised for a sailing couple. 

Itacatamarans.com

New at Cannes Boat Show: Shogun 43

Shogun’s 43 was actually tested in the October 2023 edition of Sailing today with Yachts and Yachting but she is now making her show debut at Cannes. This is a supremely stylish Swedish yacht from the design board of the legendary Hakan Sodergrun. She is narrow, very light being built in carbon and ludicrously fast. Down below there is sufficient living space to indulge in some warp speed cruising should you wish. 

shogunyachts.com

Contest 63CS

Dutch boatbuilder Contest is famed for building high quality blue water cruisers and their all new 63CS looks straight out of that playbook. Designed by their go to naval architects Judel/Vrolijk, this is a big, luxurious cruising yacht that will boat good performance particularly for those who love a spot of tradewind sailing. This is a centre cockpit yacht with a relatively modest 31,900kg displacement and a decent sail area pointing to a very versatile long distance cruiser.

contestyachts.com

Hallberg Rassy 69

Swedish manufacturer Hallberg Rassy is an institution in the world of blue water cruising. Yet it’s an institution that isn’t afraid to evolve and many were shocked when the boatbuilder started to introduce twin rudders and broader aft sections to its designs. The 69 is another step forward, being the largest boat ever built by the Swedes and nudging towards the cadre of pocket superyacht. The boat is designed by German Frers and features a big rig and contemporary lines familiar to those who are familiar with the most recent launches from the yard. The difference with the 69 is she is just a lot bigger and more luxurious. Fear not though, the trademark Hallberg Rassy armchairs are still an option.

hallberg-rassy.com

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• Maiden & Tabarly Put Women at Top: Ocean Globe Race Results
• Boat Test: C-Cat 48
• INEOS Britannia Team Profile: Royal Yacht Squadron

The post Cannes Boat Show 2024: Top Six New Boats appeared first on Sailing Today.

Lagoon 60: Double the pleasure

Lagoon catamarans is without doubt the biggest cruising multihull manufacturer in the world and their yachts are ubiquitous be it in the South Seas or the South Coast of England. The manufacturer states that there are around 7,000 Lagoons bobbing around on the oceans. The secret of their success could probably best pinned on their consistency of purpose; the Bordeaux based manufacturer has never really tried to produce anything other than comfortable cruising catamarans. Sure, they have always looked to improve performance and internal volumes but they have always kept the faith with the idea that they know what they want to produce and they believe that they are in tune with the buying public. The results speak for themselves; nobody is ever going to win races in a Lagoon but they will always have a comfortable platform for cruising adventures and the fact that you find Lagoons the world over suggests that the boats are tried and tested in quite extreme conditions. 

Having said that Lagoon has always displayed a consistency of purpose is true but its also fair to say that they have diversified slightly in recent years. The introduction of the spin off Excess range of slightly more sporty cruising cats spoke of a desire to diversify slightly. Meanwhile, the launch of the Lagoon Sixty 5 and Seventy 7, big cats aimed squarely at a slightly more bling audience than smaller models, also pointed to a desire to move into a new market, one remove from their previous flagship, the Lagoon 55. The 60, which replaces their bestselling 620, is a clear attempt to bridge the gap between the 55 and the Sixty 5 and there is plenty of evidence that they have looked to take the best aspects of both these boats and fuse them in the new 60. This is a yacht that shares plenty of styling and design characteristics with the 55 and its smaller sister the 51 yet, once aboard, I definitely felt that it shared a lot with the luxurious Sixty 5 when it came to the interior space. 

So who is the boat designed for? Well, while the 55 is mainly aimed at cruising couples, Lagoon accepts that the 60 will likely need a full time crew. Sure, the set up is simple enough to sail as an energetic couple but this is a genuinely big boat and that means an awful lot of cleaning if nothing else. The boat is designed by VPLP with Nauta doing the interior. This is a classic team for Lagoon and they rarely make too many mis steps. The design is far from radical and features hulls designed for volume and also taking into consideration that this is a yacht that is likely to be loaded to the gills. Lagoon is realistic enough to know that they are not going for blinding performance with this boat so daggerboards are out of the question and the tulip shaped midship sections ensure that there is big outward flare well above the waterline to boost volume. The boat relies on stub keels which give a draught of 1.6m to give a bit of grip going to windward but she is not going to compete with the Catanas or Outremers of this world – nor is she intended to. Given that this is a yacht that weighs in at 32,000kg it is perhaps no surprise that the sail area is big, with an air draft of 100’ meaning that, even with the flybridge reducing the size of the main somewhat, this is a big rig. As with the 55, the rig is stepped further forward than on earlier models and is fitted with overlapping headsails. Naval architect VPLP says these offer more flexibility and efficiency on a boat of this type than the near ubiquitous non-overlapping jibs of today’s yachts.

Approaching the boat from the water (she was anchored off the port of Fornells in Minorca when I tested her) I was struck by the strong family resemblance with the 55. Stepping aboard though and I felt like I’d moved into an altogether different size bracket. Make no mistake, this is a big boat. Approaching from astern you have wide bathing platforms on the sponsons and two steps up take you to the cockpit. A notable feature is the dinghy/bathing platform which is a massive wood slatted platform that drops down to water level when at anchor and can be submerged to allow the dinghy to float free. At deck level there are two side flaps on both quarters that drop down to give you even more space. This feeling of space is genuinely astonishing by the way – as you can probably imaging given the boat has a beam of 32’. 

On deck

One notable feature is that the entire boat from stern to bow features no steps up or down. This was more of a challenge for the designers than you imagine and was a conscious decision based on the idea that they wanted the boat to feel as open as possible. It means you have an unobstructed walkway from the back of the aft cockpit, through the saloon to the forward cockpit. The aft cockpit area is big with an L-shaped sofa and twin tables to port. The drop leaf tables fold out to make one very large single table ideal for dining al fresco. To starboard is another sofa with a fridge at the forward end. There is storage both under the seats and under the deck plus access to the engines. There is also direct access to the owners stateroom from the starboard side of the cockpit via a fancy doorway/hatch made from toughened glass.  

Two steps up takes you onto the side decks which are wide and feature a good handhold on the coach roof. Up at the bow there is a forward cockpit area with loungers and sofas. This is also a pleasant space and there is a door that leads you straight back into the saloon, so access is excellent. The Solid foredeck does not extend right to the bow, which is reserved for two crew cabins to port and starboard of the trampoline. These feature a reasonable amount of space for crew and the port side has an ensuite with shower. 

Heading back into the cockpit and then up to the next level via well proportioned stairs is the flybridge, which is well shaded by a solid bimini. This area is huge, with a work surface, sink and fridge aft and to starboard and l shaped seating area with table to port. The stairs up to this deck are to starboard and the helm is also offset to starboard. Forward of the helm station is a large seating/lounging area with a coffee table in the middle. The solid Bimini has a detachable ladder up to it which gives access to the main and has solar panels on it. There are four giant harken winches with 14 jammers – seven each side – which handle all the running rigging. In addition the buttons for the furling code 0, staysail and Genoa are to port And starboard The helm station is comfortable with a broad seat. 

Inside

The saloon is huge and loosely divided into three areas with the galley aft and to port and a small nav station aft to starboard. In fact this galley area is a sink, wine cooler and fridge plus storage space because the actual galley is just aft of this, completely separate, with it’s own entrance in the cockpit. Down here you have a good space for cooking with a huge full height fridge four ring hob and oven plus ample workspace and a small crew dining area. There is an option to expand the galley in the main living area, dispense with the large ‘crew’ galley to starboard and turn this into an extra cabin. This marginally reduces the feeling of space in the saloon but might work better if you had plans to charter the boat out a lot. Staying in the saloon and forward on the port side is a huge seating area with a coffee table in the middle and then a dining area to starboard. It’s all very open with sliding patio doors into the cockpit and a large door leading to the forward cockpit.

Descend to starboard and you are in the owner’s suite. This is huge and very light and spacious. The double bed is athwartships and there is more than enough space to walk either side of the bed and also a desk area forward of this. After is the bathroom which has a totally separate heads and steps aft which, as already mentioned, lead directly onto the aft section of the cockpit. The smoked glass ensures privacy while also letting in masses of natural light. It’s an extraordinary place to take a shower. Staying in the starboard hull and forward of the stateroom –  and completely separate – is a large guest double with ensuite. There’s plentiful room and a good feeling of space.  

Stepping into the port hull and moving forward of the galley which we have already discusse, there is a twin bedroom with fore and aft berths plus  ensuite. Ahead of this there is a double cabin with the bed set athwartships forward of this with the ensuite at the bow. The boat therefore sleeps eight comfortably plus the crew up forward. The overall ambience is very pleasant and the quality of the fit out was impressive. Trite as it may be to say, this is far more spacious and comfortable than many mid sized apartments. 

Under sail

One thing you can’t do with a mid sized apartment is take it sailing. Something you definitely can do with the Lagoon 60. Conditions in Minorca were somewhat tricky for a boat weighing in at 32 tonnes. The wind was between 5 and 10kn, although the water was relatively flat. Under sail the 60 proved a powerful performer in very light winds and with the Code 0 unfurled we were largely able to match the wind speed up to 7kn. Sail handling was simple but the hydraulic steering was a touch on the notchy side and lacking in feel. I’d just come from a week sailing a tiller steered Jeanneau Selection 37 so this was a hard contrast. Although it’s fair to say that the contrast in comfort aboard was similarly striking. Things have improved a lot in a short time when it comes to hydraulic steering but even so, it lacks a bit of feel and on any long passage you’ll be sticking it on autopilot and simply enjoying the ride. The boat is medium displacement and is designed to sail heavily loaded down so that powerful sail plan is a must and it works well. She’s not massively close winded but she does truck along thanks to that big sail plan. Under power she was very responsive and the addition of bow thrusters meant it was supremely easy to manoeuvre. The Raymarine dock assist system further helped ensure that mooring was truly effortless with six cameras allowing you to see clearly all sides of the boat and their distance relative to the quay. 

Sam’s verdict on the Lagoon 60

At the mid point of the test, we anchored up for a couple of hours and enjoyed lunch and a swim. For all the Lagoon 60’s fine sailing I felt it was this that truly showcased the potential of this yacht; its supremely comfortable and large enough to be both a sociable space but also allow you the space to unwind in a quiet corner. As with all Lagoons, you’re not going to win a Transatlantic race, but you’ll get there without any fuss and once you arrive, you’ll have the most comfortable yacht in the anchorage. 

Looks: 3/5

Comfort: 5/5

Performance: 4/5

Lagoon 60 Specifications

Hull length: 18.27m (59’11”)

Length overall: 19.77m (64’10”)

Beam overall: 9.87m (32’5”)

Naval architect: VPLP Design

Exterior design: Patrick le Quément

Interior design: Nauta Design

Water draft: 1.65 m (5’55”)

Air draft: 30m (98’5”)

Light displacement: 34.6 T (76,293 Lbs)

Sails area upwind: 222 m² (2,389 sq ft)

Genoa: 87 m² (936 sq ft)

Contact: catamarans-lagoon.com

Alternative boats

Fountaine Pajot Samana 59

This Berret Racoupeau design is narrower and lighter than the Lagoon 60 but is clearly designed with comfort in mind – boating the biggest flybridge in her class according to the manufacturers.

catamarans-fountaine-pajot.com

Sunreef 60

A catamaran that places luxury squarely above performance. This is a big, spacious and very comfortable cat that can easily be optimised for skippered charter. Intriguingly, the 60 is available with electric motors as standard, which is a real revolutionary touch.

sunreef-catamrans.com

Privilege Signature 580

Privilege edges closer to the performance market, offering an interesting compromise between luxury and speed. This Marc Lombard design is lighter and marginally narrower than the 60. 

privilege-marine.com

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The post Boat Test: New Luxurious Multihull Lagoon 60 appeared first on Sailing Today.

The Southampton International Boat Show 2024 is right around the corner and the excitement is building, even more so now that we’ve heard about the new boats on display… Here’s some top picks from our Editor Sam Jefferson. 

New Boats: Our Editor’s 6 Top Picks

Moody DS48

Moody has been under German ownership as part of the Hanse group for many years now and offers a different sort of cruiser in quality deck saloon cruisers which are designed by Bill Dixon. The new 48 is the first new launch they have made since their 41 2020 and fits between the Moody 45 and 54 in their range. As you’d expect, this is a boat that is big on space and comfort, featuring a big, beamy hull with a single rudder. Performance has not been neglected, however, because she sports a generous rig to push her 21,000kg displacement through the water. 

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

Dufour 44

French manufacturer Dufour has really pumped up the volume with its latest generation of yachts. The new Umberto Felci designed 44 follows on from the 37 and 41 which have already drawn plaudits thanks to their remarkable ability to create internal volume without looking overly dumpy. The 44 continues in this vein boasting plentiful beam aft and full sections at the bow above the waterline. The interior is positively palatial and there is a choice of three or four cabin layouts.

dufour-yachts.com

New Boats: Xc47

It has been some years since Danish manufacturers X Yachts realised that if they offered a de tuned Xc cruising range alongside its out and out performance yachts, it would massively enlarge its customer base. The project was a huge success and the Xc range is now into its second generation with the launch of the Xc47. The new launch is one of the first since X Yachts divorce from founder and chief designer Niels Jeppesen and the result is a yacht that leans heavily towards the cruising market, featuring something not far from a deck saloon. The hull lines feature plenty of beam aft and there has obviously been a very conscious effort to up the cruising ante. That said, the boat retains a powerful rig and weight has been kept reasonably modest.

x-yachts.com

Hanse 360

Hanse Yachts broke with go to designer of many years Judel/Vrolijk a couple of years back and this was the catalyst behind the launch of a new generation of Hanses designed by the French team of Berret/Racoupeau. In addition to a marked change in styling, with inverted ‘dreadnought bow and hard chines aft giving the boats a more angular look, the main drive seemed to be to up the quality of the boats down below – which was certainly achieved. The new Hanse 360 distils their recent models’ key design features and sleek profile into a yacht under 38′ in length.

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

New Boats: Saffier SE24 Lite

Netherlands based boatbuilder Saffier has made a point of producing fast, stylish dayboats/weekenders that are easy to handle but provide masses of thrills. THe SE24 Lite is one of the smaller boats in its range and features a Torqeedo 3.5 kW electric motor with the battery reservoirs boosted by solar panels. The true joy of the boat though is the sailing  With a single handed and the boat includes a large, ergonomic cockpit with a sundeck, two berthing places and enough storage space for your complete wardrobe. 

saffieryachts.com

Nautitech 48 Open

Nautitech was one of the first boatbuilders to bridge the gap between pure cruising catamarans and more sophisticated performance cruisers. They did this by giving their boats better feel on the helm, with the wheels situated outboard, and designing a hull form that had decent upwind performance while eschewing the costly addition of daggerboards. It has been a successful formula and the company has now launched its new flagship, the 48 which looks to continue in the same vein as older models, just on a slightly larger scale.

nautitechcatamarans.com

Visiting the Show

We’ve got everything you need to know to plan your visit…

But first, make sure you put 13th-22nd September in the diary.

Opening dates and times:

• 13 – 21 September 2024 – 10:00-18:00
• 22 September 2024 – 10:00-17:00

Shipyard Only: Music, food, sport & entertainment

• 14th & 21st September 2024 – 10:00-21:00

Show Postcode: S015 1BA

• The show entrance is located by WestQuay Shopping Centre.

What to Expect at Southampton Boat Show 2024

Whether you’re on the hunt for new sailing gear, a serious boat buyer, a watersports enthusiast, a foodie and live music fan, or just looking for a brilliant family day out, here’s everything you need to know for visiting Southampton Boat Show 2024.

Grab a Ticket Now… with our Discount Code!

To keep the good news coming… With our Sailing Today with Yachts and Yachting discount code you can grab an any-day adult general admission ticket to the show for just £19.99.

Simply go to the ticket website, select your tickets and enter this promo code at the bottom: STYY2024

And… up to 2 kids go free with every adult ticket.

Grab Your Tickets Now!

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The post Southampton Boat Show 2024: Top 6 New Boats appeared first on Sailing Today.

Exciting Designers and New Boats

Here’s some of the latest yacht designs from Grand Soleil, Boreal, IDB Marine, Nautor Swan, and Hanse Yachts – take a look at the new boats arriving on the market…

Grand Soleil 52

Italian manufacturer Grand Soleil has been producing cruiser/racers for many years now and the company states that this new 52 is the spiritual heir to the legendary Grand Soleil 52 designed by German Frers back in 1987. I’m not sure if that legend has endured in the UK but the new 52 certainly looks the part and the arrival of renowned designer Matteo Polli, who has achieved masses of success with italia Yachts – particularly in the IRC class – certainly augurs well. The boat comes in two versions; Performance and Race. Both look extremely alluring and capable of cutting a dash on the racecourse. 

grandsoleil.net

Sailing the Boreal 70

Boreal Yachts sit in that very French cadre of utilitarian aluminium ‘go anywhere’ yachts much loved by soul sailors who idolise Moitessier and dream of communing with the albatross. Yes these soul sailors seem to have developed a taste for a spot of luxury too and the Boreal 70 is typical of the latest iteration of these hardy swing keel boats in that she is huge and surprisingly well appointed, boating such luxuries as a dishwasher should you so wish to choose that option. Sacre bleu! Nevertheless, this is a tough go anywhere cruiser which is at home in the tropics or the high latitudes. 

boreal-yachts.com

New Boats: Mojito 30

French manufacturer IDB Marine has made a name for itself by thinking outside the box when it comes to yacht design and it is fair to say that their new Mojito 30 has stuck with that tradition, producing something of a head turner with this design that takes a lot from the developments in the First 40 and Mini Transat classes boasting the unmistakeable ‘scow bow’, featuring very full forward sections. Of the new boats, this is designed as a fast cruiser that could potentially be raced in longer offshore formats and features a swing keel, big sail area and decent accommodation.

Idbmarine.fr

Clubswan 28

The Clubswan 28 is a something of a break from tradition for Nautor Swan who have never produced a yacht this small. She rounds off their ClubSwan range and is a pure one design racer set up for four crew. At 1000kg, this Juan Kouyoumdijan design is going to be fast but she appears to be much less technical than boats higher up the range, eschewing foils and keeping things as simple as possible. There is no accommodation.

nautorswan.com

New Boats: Hanse 590

Hanse Yachts broke with go to designer of many years Judel/Vrolijk a couple of years back and this was the catalyst behind the launch of a new generation of Hanses designed by the French team of Berret/Racoupeau. In addition to a marked change in styling, with inverted ‘dreadnought bow and hard chines aft giving the boats a more angular look, the main drive seemed to be to up the quality of the boats down below – which was certainly achieved. The new 590 is their biggest boat yet of this new generation and offers easy sailing on a big scale. The new boat features an optional hard top bimini, a tender garage and acres of space down below. The boat will be officially unveiled at Cannes Boat show and promises to be a head turner.

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

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The post New Boats: The Latest Yacht Designs Heading to the Market appeared first on Sailing Today.

A Teutonic treat: German boatbuilder Bavaria has long had a firm grasp on what its public is after and its new C46 is no exception as Sam Jefferson discovers.

About Bavaria

Some years back I was invited by the West Sweden Tourist Board to take a press trip to that area which would involve cruising around the area in a Swedish built Maxi yacht, sampling raw herrings, sweltering in saunas, whacking other journalists with bits of birch, eating Ryvita and generally discovering what a wonderful country Sweden was – especially if you aren’t paying. On the eve of the trip, our hosts came to us with a look of extreme anguish and announced in funereal tones that, due to financial turmoil at the Najad factory, Najad Yachts could no longer supply a boat and it was to be substituted with – a Bavaria.

Yes, it was clear that the word Bavaria itself left a bad taste. But why? Perhaps because there seems little sense in the incontrovertible fact that Bavaria Yachts, a company based in a particularly landlocked corner of the Black Forest, has become one of the biggest yacht manufacturers in the world. Think of all those proud craftsmen in Sweden with centuries of tradition in boatbuilding being usurped by this upstart company? The same applies to the UK; not so long ago one of the biggest manufacturers in the world and now… 

So what has been the secret to their success? Part of it has definitely their ability to give the public what they want at a reasonable price. Let’s not forget that the choppiest financial waters Bavaria navigated came about a decade ago when the company seemed to get distracted by the idea of building big, luxury yachts like the Bavaria C65 – many miles from its core values – and got its fingers burnt in the process. Since then, the company has gone back to its roots and examined what it does best. 

Introducing the Bavaria C46

All of which brings me to the Bavaria C46; a boat that is designed to carry a family and friends on a comfortable cruise with minimum fuss. This is the successor to the Bavaria C45 and, like her predecessor she is designed by Cossutti, who knows a thing or two about designing a stylish yacht that performs well. This is just as well because the other side of Bavaria’s brief is to absolutely maximise volume.

The boat is not strikingly different in style to her predecessor, the C45, the boat has a tad more beam and slightly less ballast – something meted by the greater form stability of her hull. The C46 follows the recent trend of boosting interior volume by giving the boat much fuller forward sections above the waterline which narrow markedly at waterline level. This keeps wetted surface area low in light airs but provides power and extra buoyancy when the boat is hard pressed and also means that you benefit from a really big forward cabin.

The styling is distinctive and very much of a piece with other yachts in the Bavaria ‘C’ range. Given the boats have relatively high freeboard, this can make the boats appear quite boxy – particularly the shorter yachts in the range such as the C38. Thankfully the increased waterline length of the C46 metes this considerably. The test boat was also dark blue which further ameliorated things and gave the C46 a sporty, purposeful look. In fact, the rig really is quite sporty as the boat boasts a generous sail area married to a deep spade rudder and L shaped keel. Ease of handling is obviously hey but Bavaria clearly saw the value of a big rig to get this 13,000kg displacement boat moving. Price wise, the boat is available at a base price of 315,000 Euros exc VAT but this test boat had a number of upgrades which took the price to 546,000 Euros exc VAT. 

On deck

Step aboard and you find yourself in a big cockpit with twin tables and a corridor down the middle this runs all the way from the bathing platform to the companionway and makes for good ease of movement through the boat. The Bavaria is one of the new generation that leads all running rigging aft to the helm via channels in the coaming, The coachroof is therefore uncluttered by lines and winches and there is a nice separation between the working area of the boat aft of the helm and the seating area forward.

This seating area on the Bavaria C46 is very comfortable – particularly with the cushions in place as there is a nice curvature to the coamings. Aft, there are two pairs of winches by the helms and third pair further forward which seemed a bit superfluous but can be used for the Code 0 if necessary.

There was storage under the cockpit seats plus under the cockpit sole, where there was also an excellent access point to the cables for the steering gear and autopilot. The storage for the liferaft valise is tucked into the transom behind a well proportioned bathing platform which is raised and lowered electrically.

The seats for the helm had a plancha to starboard and a sink to port. There were good rope bins by the helm which were very effective at keeping everything neat and tidy. One minor criticism was that the electronic throttle situated on the starboard binnacle was positioned in such a manner that it was easy to nudge it or even grab it as you exited the cockpit – with alarming consequences. This is hull number one so it’s highly possible this will be resolved on later models.

Out on the side decks of the Bavaria C46, there was plenty of width and you felt nicely enclosed by the raised toe rail. The coachroof extends well forward and was uncluttered aside from a bridle for the mainsheet set just in front of the sprayhood. Aside from that, there is the traveller for the self tacking jib and the tracks for the genoa which are recessed into the coachroof. This means that the rest of the space can be used for lounging and sunbathing at anchor and there is a decent space forward of the mast for this purpose. Ahead of that is a really generous lazarette which can swallow up numerous sails, fenders or even a deflated dinghy. You also access the anchor locker from here via a hatch leading forward. The anchor roller is integrated into the fixed sprit which is used for setting the Code 0.

Down below on the Bavaria C46

The standard layout on the Bavaria C46 features a large u galley set to well forward and to port The galley was roomy and well laid out featuring all the luxuries you’d expect including a large drawer fridge – freezer plus a  dishwasher and an extractor fan which I thought was a nice detail on a boat of this size – particularly with the galley set forward away from the ventilation of the companionway.

Set just aft of the galley on the same side was a decent sized chart table which was raised up somewhat and overlooked the galley. It was an arrangement that worked well and placed the galley at the heart of both this ‘office’ space and also the lounge area and dining table which was just to starboard. This is a huge seating area with a table that can be raised and lowered electrically so that it can be converted into a very large double berth if required.

Aft and to port is a storage cupboard which can accommodate a washing machine if you wish. To starboard is a large heads with separate shower stall. This is very spacious and has two doors to enable it to be a private ensuite for the starboard aft berth which on this boat was a spacious twin. With a decent amount of storage plus good extra access to the motor the port aft berth was a large double. 

Up forward is a huge master cabin with equally huge heads compartment to starboard and separate shower to port. There was plentiful storage and also the possibility to walk around both sides of the bed in order to get into it. The overall feel down below on the Bavaria C46 was very pleasant with a good feeling of light and space. As with so many of these recent launches that utilise fuller lines forward to boost internal volume, this boat felt far larger than 46’. It’s worth mentioning that there are a number of other layout options available – all retain the basic saloon layout but offer more cabins with the option of splitting the huge fore cabin into two more modest doubles- both with their own en suites.

Meanwhile aft, you can convert the large heads area to starboard into a bunk room while the storage room to port then becomes the day heads. More cabins obviously works best for charter but I felt the standard set up of three cabins was probably the most sane. 

Under sail

The weather on test day was unusual. The test was carried out in Marseille and the Rade de Marseille dished up conditions that varied from 5kn to 15kn max. The breeze was shifty and unreliable making for a good measure of performance although the sea was flat. We motored out of Marseille Vieux Port and then floored the throttle as the as the broker understandably wanted to let the engine breath. The test boat had the upgraded 85hp motor as opposed to the 55hp standard and the result of flooring the throttle was intriguing as the boat rapidly hit hull speed and there was still power to spare. Setting the sails was genuinely a breeze thanks to the in mast furling main and we unrolled the 100% overlapping genoa to give us more power in the initially fickle breezes. The boat responded well and in a manner that belied its 13,000kg displacement. On the wind we were able to pinch up to 32 degrees apparent but the boat was in a happier groove at around 38 degrees. At all times the steering was light and poised. As the wind built, the boat started to show an impressive pace.

Hard on the wind we were hitting 7.5-8.5kn and bearing away we peaked at 9kn which I felt was good going for a well equipped cruising yacht in about 12kn of breeze. Flat water always helps but even so, it was impressive and we rapidly overhauled an older yacht of similar size. 

Sam’s verdict on the Bavaria C46

The Bavaria C46 is typical of the new wave of high volume cruisers that have taken full advantage of fuller lines forward to boost volume. There seems to be little trade off in terms of performance, which was impressive throughout although I would love to give the boat a go in a short, steep chop to see how it behaves. In terms of the interior volume, this was most impressive and I was also impressed by the style and feel of the boat inside. The quality felt good and the boat felt a cut above your standard cruising yacht. When it comes to mass production yachts, there are often only fine margins that make one boat better than another but this Bavaria seemed to have very few faults that I could pinpoint. 

Bavaria C46 Specifications

LOA: 14.50m (47’6”)
Hull length: 13.95m (45’8”)
LWL: 13.32m (43’7”)
Beam: 4.70m (15’4”)
Draught: 2.30m (7’2”)
Draught (shoal): 1.75m (5’7”)
Sail area: 115m2
Ballast: 2,575kg (5,677 lbs)
Displacement: 12,730kg (28,065 lbs)

Price: Base: 315,000 Euros exc VAT, as tested: 546,000 Euros exc VAT
Builder: bavariayachts.com

UK Broker: Clippermarine.co.uk

Alternative boats:

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490

The Sun Odyssey 490 has been around for a few years now but this Philippe Briand design remains a stalwart and flagship of the French manufacturer’s Sun Odyssey range. Despite being a 490, this boat is actually a shade shorter than the Bavaria. 

jeanneau.com

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

The Beneteau Oceanis was one of the trailblazers of the full forward section models, boasting a chine at the bow. The 46.1 scooped European Yacht of the Year back in 2019. The boat remains strikingly modern inside and out. 

beneteau.com

Dufour 470

Launched in 2021 and probably the yacht that shares the most with the Bavaria in terms of styling and interior volume. The Dufour 470 is designed by Umberto Felci and boasts very full forward sections which absolutely maximise volume. 

universalyachting.com

Read More:

• Maiden & Tabarly Put Women at Top: Ocean Globe Race Results
• Boat Test: C-Cat 48
• Giles Scott Sail GP: Interview with new Emirates GBR driver

The post Boat Test: New Bavaria C46 appeared first on Sailing Today.

Smart thinking: Bali Catamarans have been producing voluminous cruising catamarans in huge quantities since 2014 – during that time they have perfected the art as Sam Jefferson discovers.

They say that one of the keys to happiness and wellbeing is self acceptance. The ability to look a good hard look at yourself and say, ‘well, this is who I am, take it or leave it’ is a hugely important step if you want to achieve wellbeing. What has this got to do with the Bali Catsmart? I hear you cry. Well, it’s just a gut feeling I have but, in the world of yachts, more specifically multihulls,  Bali catamarans is the marque that is the most willing to accept what it is and feel at ease with this. Unlike some yachts that try to be all things to all sailors, the Bali is unashamedly a cruising catamaran and the company has stuck with this basic concept since they launched their first boat in 2014. Perhaps being part of the Catana group helped because Catana had a deserved reputation for producing top end performance catamarans so Bali felt at ease producing something more unashamedly tailored for cruising. 

I do not mean this in a negative way. If you start with a very clear concept of what you want, then you are far more likely to reach a satisfactory conclusion. In the case of Bali, this means providing a comfortable platform for cruising while ensuring performance is perky enough to keep you happy on passage. The company has not been afraid to innovate either; guided by the steady hand of Olivier Poncin, who sadly recently passed away, Bali has pioneered a number of clever features including the tilt/slide ‘garage door’ style saloon door and also replacing the normal trampoline at the bow with a solid foredeck, which massively boosts exterior space. Along the way, the boats have been styled in a manner that fairly yells, ‘I am a cruising cat, take it or leave it’. This is an admirable philosophy which has seen the company shift truckloads of Balis both for private owners and also for charter.

All of which brings me to the Bali Catsmart, their latest and also smallest cat in their range at 38’. This is exciting news in itself, as there is precious little on the market in this size bracket and when you combine that with Bali’s commitment to providing masses of internal volume, you have a truly interesting proposition. Designed by the experienced Xavier Fay, the Catsmart retains all the key features of previous models (tilt/slide saloon door, solid foredeck) but simply puts it in a smaller package. 

Styling wise the Bali Catsmart 38′ is very much of a piece too; that means boxy, modern looks with that distinctive solid foredeck further augmented by a full width bathing platform at the stern which further adds to the boxiness. The freeboard is pretty generous and the Catsmart boasts XXm of clearance from the waterline to the nacelle – important to avoid slamming. The rig is set well back on the coachroof which allows for a decent sized foretriangle to augment the full battened main. The sail area is surprisingly large for a cruising cat even if you go for the self tacking jib as opposed to the optional genoa and, with the lack of a bridgedeck helm station, the boom can be set low on the coachroof which considerably improves both the look of the boat and also keeps the centre of effort low. It all points to decent performance. 

In terms of hull form, the Bali, in common with so many catamarans these days – features relatively fine waterlines with a distinct ‘step’ outwards above which boosts internal volume while also ensuring the hull is easily driven. This is an unashamed cruising catamaran so, as you can imagine, there are stub keels as opposed to daggerboards. The rudders are positioned aft of the propellers which considerably improves performance and also are part of one of the most distinct featured of the Catsmart –  that she features twin wheels set well outboard as opposed to the bridgedeck arrangements so favoured on many out and out cruising yachts. The steering is cable driven and, again, this points to better performance and feel.

On deck

First impressions are good as you view the Bali Catsmart 38′ from the dockside. Sure, she’s boxy but that low boom and something in her lines gives her a purposeful look. She certainly doesn’t feel small though and is definitely high sided so the best way to get onboard is via the low platform which stretches the width of the stern. These are the bathing platforms and in the middle is a contraption for raising and lowering the dinghy with two handy cleats either side. It’s a nifty solution to the question of getting the tender onboard. Step up on deck  and you are directly in front of the twin helms set well outboard of the cockpit with their own seats plus individual biminis which look a bit silly but are extremely important to provide a bit of protection. The helm seats flip up to provide good access to the twin 20hp Volvos Pentas. Moving inboard from here, there is a bench aft to enclose the cockpit and this has storage for the gas locker etc plus a barbecue. The traveller runs aft of this so is well out of the way. Step forward about 1.5m and you are in the saloon which, on a hot day, blends seamlessly with the cockpit thanks to that legendary garage door. 

Staying on deck for the moment, however, the sail control’s lines are led under the bridge deck and protected by plastic covers, emerging via the coachroof sides to a pair of winches either side of the twin helms, and there is a third one to starboard for the main sheet. All are within reach of the helm. The throttle controls are only to starboard but are also well positioned. The side decks very broad and there are decent handholds on the coachroof. The coachroof is to some extent rather dead space due to the low boom. This means you could only lounge on it while at anchor and Bali seem to have decided that there is enough lounging space already and left it as a space to put solar panels and tidy up the mainsail.  

Head up forward and there Is that trademark solid front deck with a table set into a central recess. It looks a bit barren without all the cushions in place but once they are all in place it suddenly looks extremely inviting and very nice for sundowners and general sunbathing. There is a decent sized lazarette plus two huge lockers set in the bows making for masses of storage. 

Down below

Head into the saloon of the Bali Catsmart 38′ via that huge tilt slide door and you find yourself in a very light space that feels much less spartan than some earlier models. Speaking to Bali about this, thy stated that they had made a very conscious effort to move away from boats tailored for the charter market and were looking to broaden their appeal to private owners. The results are pleasing. There is a large dining table to port which can seat eight comfortably while the sliding side windows open up the whole space when the sun shines.

Forward is a galley which has a small step down to accommodate the curvature of the coachroof. The galley runs the full width of the nacelle and this makes for good all round views while you cook. There is a nice twin sink to port with a thoughtful bin set up. The Eno hob and oven are to starboard and there is a big upright fridge and separate upright freezer set into the kitchen units. Worktop area is generous and there are good fiddles to keep everything in place as you prepare your food. 

Head down into the hulls and the main  stateroom is to starboard and features a big sliding door for privacy then a huge suite with a double berth aft and big shower room and heads forward.

There is a lot of space and storage while five big portlights make for a lot of light and feeling of space. The port hull has two doubles which share a heads/shower. Up forward it’s probably a queen size berth while aft a king. The heads has a separate shower stall and feels adequate if not huge. As you can imagine, everything feels a bit tighter here but it’s still a roomy space. 

The Bali Catsmart 38′ Under sail

Test day for the Bali Catsmart 38′ took place off Canet en Roussillon in France on a pristine day which started with very little wind but peaked at about 15kn. We headed out from an absurdly tight space which demonstrated that the lines of sight from the outboard helms was good. You can see all four corners of the boat from either helm by looking through the saloon windows essentially. It’s never going to be as good as a bridgedeck arrangement for parking but the trade off is a markedly better helming position for sailing – and that is essentially what we are all here for. Getting the mainsail up was Relatively easy compared to many cats thanks to the boom being nice and low and the boat behaved well on the wind, hitting 8.5kn in 13kn true. I’d say the boat felt a good deal more sprightly than most cruising catamarans and the twin helms set outboard gave the boat a much sportier feel than many of her contemporaries. I wouldn’t put the general ‘feel’ of the helm in the same category as a monohull but it was a marked improvement compared to rivals and, given that only Nautitech and Excess offer this system on production cruising cats, it’s a real boon.  

As stated at the top of this article, Bali is very clear on what it wants to provide; a pure cruising catamaran and by having a clear design brief, they achieve this with aplomb. That said, the boat is surprisingly sprightly performance wise and the outboard helms are a really nice feature. The decision to soften up the interior compared to previous models is also welcome – as is the decision to launch a boat that is under 40’. It all makes for a very pleasing boat that blends goo interior capacity with fine performance. 

Alternative boats:

Excess 11

The only boat in the production catamaran market that matches the Catsmart for space. Excess catamarans are basically pure cruisers but with a sporty, youthful feel reflected in. the styling but also the fact that, like the Excess, they feature twin helms and a decent sail area.

Excess-catamrans.com

Nautitech 40 Open

Another production catamaran that blends slightly sportier handling with cruising preacticality. The 40 Open is a tad larger and is getting a little long in the tooth but remains a sporty yet practical cruiser.

Nautitechcatamarans.com

Lagoon 40

The kings of the production catamaran have dominated the market for years and this is their base entry model. Unlike the others, the 40 comes with a bridgedeck steering position.

Cata-lagoon.com

Read More:

• Multihull Show 2024: Tickets and Info
• Boat Test: Italia 12.98
• Cruising Association Photo Competition: 2023 winner

The post Boat Test: Bali Catsmart 38′ appeared first on Sailing Today.

Despite a consistent record of winning on the racecourse, Italia Yachts somehow remain under the radar. Sam Jefferson tests the 12.98 their latest cruiser/racer.

Perhaps few things sum up the recent success of Italia Yachts as the sight of the Italia 15.98 Nessum Dorma ghosting into Port St Louis, Grenada one early December night in 2023. The significance of the arrival was that she was the first boat across the line in the 2023 ARC+. This transatlantic rally is ostensibly for cruisers but, as always, it has strong overtones of a race for those at the from of the fleet and, in a light weather run from the Cape Verde islands to Grenada, this monohull had fended off challenges from big, sporty catamarans such as Marsaudon’s ORC XX and a number of Outremer’s, to cross the line first. In many ways the win was small beer given the triumphs of the Italia 11.98 and 9.98 on more conventional racing stages such as the IRC and ORC Worlds where both have dominated in recent years, but it showcased how perfectly Italia has managed the crossover from cruiser to racer and the blured lines between a rally and a race were the perfect opportunity for an Italia to take the win and then pass the winter cruising around the Caribbean in comfort.

Yet I am not here to write about either the 15.98, the 9.98 or the 11.98. I’m here to cover their latest yacht, the 12.98, launched in 2023 and boasting their usual impeccable credentials as a cruiser/racer. This is a very nuanced category of boats as there are racers that can be cruisers – such as perhaps the Italia 11.98 and also fast cruisers that can be raced. And I would include the 12.98 in the later category – although to further complicate matters, she is available in two different specifications; Belissima, which is far more cruising oriented and Fuoriserie which is much more angled at racers. There are marked differences between the two specs of boat and this is good because it demonstrates how serious Italia are about tailoring the boat to two quite different types of sailing. 

Whichever spec you go for though, the hull is designed by the same team: Cussutti Yacht design in collaboration with the Italia Yachts design team. Unlike the other boats previously mentioned, there is one interesting omission and that is the name of Matteo Polli, who has been a key player in penning the lines of IRC/ORC powerhouses such as the 11.98 and 9.98. Polli worked with Cossutti for a number of years and then became Italia’s in house designer. In 2018, however, he went independent and started working with a range of other manufacturers and, on this occasion, he seems not to have taken part in the design of the new boat. It must be noted that he did design the original Italia 12.98 back in 2015 but that this 2022 launch is an entirely new boat from the keel up.

The boat may lack Polli’s nous and knowhow but it’s not as if Cossutti doesn’t know a thing or two about penning the lines of a fast, seductive cruiser/racer and first impressions are good. The 12.98 retains the slinky looks of other yachts in the range; 43’ in length with a relatively low freeboard, moderate beam with decent amounts of taper aft, knife like bow and low, sleek coachroof. She retains the trademarked vertical transom with rounded aft sections that swell out considerably above the waterline, pointing to low wetted surface area and strong light weather performance. There is a single rudder and a 2.3m keel as standard with the option of a 2.4m and 2.46m depths. Displacement has been kept to 9,000kg on the Fouriserie and 10,000kg on the Belissima. Predictably, the Fuoriserie also carries slightly more sail area, with the option of a square topped mainsail and running backstays. Both have rod rigging.

The key difference though is the cockpit layout which features a third set of winches on the coachroof and the primary winches shifted further forward on the coamings. Meanwhile the interior is moderately different on the sportier version with the ensuite heads forward eschewed. There is the option of a carbon fibre mast and boom while the Fuoriserie version features a much longer fixed sprit at the bow. 

On Deck

I tested the Belissima version of the Italia 12.98 and the most obvious pointer that this was the cruising version as I stepped aboard was the Permteek decking and also the face that the twin winches for headsail and mainsail were set well aft within reach of the helm, pointing to simple short handed sailing. All the sail controls were led aft through channels in the coaming and emerged just in front of this pair of winches. 

Despite the tapered run of the yacht, the cockpit is still relatively broad running back to an open transom with a narrow bathing platform. There are two reasonably dimensioned lazarettes aft of the helm and space for liferaft below. These lazarettes do a lot of work because there are no bench lockers. The traveller is just in front of the helm. Forward of this is a cockpit table and nice seating area for six who, at least on the Belissima layout are separated off from the action of sailing the yacht and can relax.

Out of the cockpit and there are wide side decks with jib cars set on the coachroof and neatly recessed up forward there is very generously sized anchor locker which has the gas locker integrated into it , although there is no way you are going to be able to shoehorn any sails in here so they must go down below via the forehatch. On this less sporty version there is still a sprit for the gennaker but it’s shorter and integrates the anchor roller.

This racer/cruiser down below

Italia Yachts are generally very stylish and vaguely minimalist down below and the 12.98 is no exception. There is lots of light materials and it is all very bright and contemporary. Step down from the cockpit and you find yourself in a big luxurious space with decent amount of light. The companionway steps are nicely sloped and There is an L-shaped galley to port and this is big with plenty of usable space. The worktop mounted fridge is very deep and there is also an (optional) upright fridge so lots of food storage. There’s a U shaped seating area to port forward of this and a modestly dimensioned table then a sofa to starboard and no chart table. 

One thing I did notice inside the Italia 12.98 was that there were no USB ports anywhere – with every year that passes this becomes an increasingly glaring omission. The day heads Is adjacent to the galley on starboard and this is big with the shower completely separate which is always pleasing to see. The double aft berths are slightly different sizes with the starboard being slightly larger with good headroom and decent light from portlights on both sides. The water and fuel tanks are under these two double berths and are both 220l in volume.  The port side cabin feels significantly smaller. Forward is a decent master cabin and not bad sized ensuite. Overall the ambience was very pleasant and it felt like a great place to chill out in. Chic and minimalist without being stark. That said, it’s by no means huge for a 43’ yacht and the designer’s willingness to focus on speed and style have a slight payoff here. 

Italia 12.98 on the water

We set out in very modest conditions with the breeze blowing between 8 and 12kn. The water was flat. You would think that this doesn’t sound very inspiring but I was still thoroughly looking forward to the sail as I knew this boat was going to perform. With the main and headsail up we ghosted along in 6-8kn of breeze, easily hitting 5kn. The helm was a dream: wonderfully sensitive and silky smooth. The handling was razor sharp and the boat just wanted to go. We were soon to provide it with the opportunity; bearing away a little, we unfurled the massive gennaker and the boat took off.

The sail seemed huge and, although the boat was completely poised with masses of grip, I was quite grateful there was no more wind. Although this was of course partly because I was able to point much higher due to the modest conditions – plus with the boat now zipping along at 7-7.5kn we were starting to build up a decent amount of apparent wind. If the helm was easy, so were the sail controls, with the German mainsheet and traveller well placed and the general set up of running rigging excellent. The boat was stiff and frankly I feel it an injustice to write an assessment of the performance based solely on this light air sail. If it is anything to go by though, I suspect that this boat is magnificent. 

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The post Boat Test: Italia 12.98 appeared first on Sailing Today.

Racer/Cruiser or Cruiser/Racer? Sam Jefferson steps aboard the Italia 11.98 and discovers a potent argument for the former

In my formative years I was taken to the cinema to watch the Dead Poets Society featuring the late Robin Williams. The film had a profound effect on me not least because I was told it was a comedy and emerged from the cinema in tears. In addition to the film leaving me with a lingering desire to smoke a pipe, read more Byron and stand on my desk at school I was struck by one line from the film in which Williams asks his pupils why write poetry. ‘to communicate’ one pupil chirps. ‘No!’ Williams replies “It’s to woo women”. Now that is a line that perhaps hasn’t aged so well but it occurred to me as I was out sailing the Italia 11.98. No, I wasn’t wooing anyone but I imagine if you posed the question of why naval architects design yachts, the answer would be similarly straightforward. It’s not because they want to design high volume, comfortable cruising yachts. No, they would say they want to design beautiful, fast yachts. Which brings me to the Italia 11.98. If you were an aspiring naval architect, this is the sort of yacht you’d dream of designing when you grew up.

The naval architect in question is Matteo Polli who has worked extensively with Italia Yachts and fellow Italian manufacturer Grand Soleil. Polli hit the headlines when he penned the lines for the Italia 9.98 back in 2017. This racer/cruiser was optimised for light airs and proceeded to clean up on the Mediterranean racing circuit. Perhaps the secret to Polli and italia’s success was that they had a clear focus and they did not let themselves get distracted. For all that the boat had an interior space that was pleasant enough, the main aim was going quick. This theme has been carried over to the 11.98, which first hit the waters in 2020. The boat is unafraid to plough its own furrow in order to achieve its aim of scoring big on the racecourse.

The design itself is unusual, with Polli going for moderate (3.98m) beam and plenty of taper aft. You could call that conservative, but these days of IMOCA style wedge shaped hulls, it’s pretty radical.

There is a clear desire to attain excellent light weather performance and, to achieve this, Polli gave the Italia 11.98 a relatively full rounded midship section and sharp ends. The bow has an emmersed forefoot to further reduce wetted surface area and the stern sections feature big outward flare above the waterline. The transom is unusual in that is raked forward to form an old school sugar scoop when looked at from astern. The mast is very centrally placed meaning to can set a big fore triangle with minimal overlap, while below the waterline there is a single spade rudder also set much further forward than on many contemporary boats and combined with a deep (2.1m) keel. The boat comes with tiller steering as standard but twin wheels are available. The rig is big and is available in carbon fibre as an optional extra. Displacement has been kept down to a modest 6,200kg. 

Italia has come up with its own way of straddling the cruiser/racer divide. Ultimately this is a racer/cruiser and the primary purpose is sailing fast. Yet, with an overall length of 11.98m this is a boat that has sufficient internal volume to accommodate a family. Thus the Italia 11.98 comes in either Fuoriserie (racing) format or Bellissima (cruising). In racing format the boat is stripped back and you get a much more spartan interior but, with the Bellissima set up, you get a really rather stunning interior, synthetic teak decking in the saloon, a slightly shorter sprit and a gain in weight of 400kg. 

The result is a boat that is extremely pleasing on the eye. Freeboard is low and the coachroof is sleek while the graceful sweep of her run as it swells out above the waterline is seductive. It all whispers of a boat that is going to be a treat to sail. Before we continue, a word on Italia Yachts which was set up in Chioggia, the other side of the lagoon from Venice, by a chap called Franco XX in 2011.

The company always had performance at the heart of its DNA and, rather like Arcona Yachts in Sweden, the boatbuilder has always been unwilling to follow passing design trends in its pursuit of performance. The company has also always had a somewhat laissez faire approach to publicity with limited dealerships and what sometimes seems like disinterest in promoting its rather lovely products. Perhaps it is for this reason that, despite impeccable racing credentials (the Italia 9.98 has won two ORC World Championships and the 11.98 won the ORC European Championships), the boatbuilder is not well known in the UK. This is a shame as it seems likely an Italia could make waves on the UK racing scene. The company is serious about optimising its boats for racing in local conditions and to local class rules. As such, Italia has in house team which works with designer Matteo Polli who can tweak the boat to optimise the boat for individual events plus conditions. 

Up onto the side decks there is good width and a good walkway with all the chainplates for the discontinuous rod rigging (wire is standard) set well outboard. In terms of the rig, this is keel stepped and 9/10ths fractional with twin aft swept spreaders and no running backstays. The standard mast is in aluminium but you can upgrade to a carbon stick which was the case on the test boat. There is a transverse traveller for the jib car to adjust the sheeting angle. All the jammers are on the coachroof in the centre and there are nine in total. There are twin hatches forward for dropping sails into but it have to say they looked a touch on the tight side. There is a small anchor locker while at the bow there is an optional carbon sprit with no anchor integrated. 

The layout is fairly standard with the galley to port. This is l shaped and has a small fridge and twin burner. there is a chart table to starboard which faces forward. There is an option to not bother with chart table and instead have more storage cupboards to starboard. The aft cabins are large and the double Berths are positively palatial with good standing headroom in the entrance. The heads is to starboard while the shower is completely separate in a corresponding cubicle to port. This to me is the most satisfactory set up for a yacht. Aside from that, there is a fixed saloon table and light wood floorboards. 

Forward cabin is a decent size with good headroom and twin doors for privacy which are also wide enough to provide a walkway for dragging sails in and out when required. The forward berth quite narrow at the bow but not too bad. There was also decent storage underneath and hanging lockers to port and starboard. One thing I did note was that almost all the cupboard hatches seemed too flimsy and often flopped back open of their own accord. As someone who has spent a lifetime owning Italian cars, I can attest to the fact that this is far from unusual.

In terms of the Bellissima model, the interior is kept simple, and minimal but a slight softening of the interior makes for a truly beautiful space that is stylish but also warm and welcoming and extremely practical for cruising at speed. 

The sail seemed huge and, although the boat was completely poised with masses of grip, I was quite grateful there was no more wind. Although this was of course partly because I was able to point much higher due to the modest conditions – plus with the boat now zipping along at 7-7.5kn we were starting to build up a decent amount of apparent wind. If the helm was easy, so were the sail controls, with the German mainsheet and traveller well places and the general set up of running rigging excellent. The boat was stiff and frankly I feel it an injustice to write an assessment of the performance based solely on this light air sail. If it is anything to go by though, I suspect that this boat is magnificent. 

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The post Boat Test: Italia 11.98 appeared first on Sailing Today.

The Mojito 6.50

When David Raison won the Mini Transat race in his radical scow-bow prototype TeamWork Evolution he demonstrated the potential speed and seaworthiness of this hull shape. At the same time, many sailors from a cruising background wondered what such a shape could do for accommodation volume.

The Mojito 6.50 is the answer – it’s a fast cruising boat based on a development of Raison’s original hull shape, tweaked to produce IDB Marine’s Maxi 650. This design took an impressive five of the top nine places in the series division of Mini Transat’s 2021 race.

The Mojito is a capable fast mini cruiser or weekender that’s easy to look after, while offering loads of fun and a lot more accommodation that other boats of its length. As well as the scow bow there are almost full length chines, vertical topsides and twin rudders. This is topped by a chunky, but not obtrusive or unsightly, coachroof that provides a lot more space inside than the original version and gives an almost all-round view of the outside world.

On deck

The deck layout has been deliberately simplified to make this an easy boat to sail, without miles of string. However, it still offers a large degree of efficiency compared to most cruising yachts.

The carbon rig of the original design is replaced by a more economic and practical Sparcraft aluminium spar, without a backstay. Similarly, the massive articulating bowsprit of a racing Mini has been replaced with a simple retractable carbon tube. This sits in a recessed groove on the foredeck and is typical of the many neat touches on this boat.

On the other hand it retains the race boat’s transom mounted mainsheet traveller and deck layout with three Carver Compact 45 winches, plus a hanked on slab reefing headsail. On our test boat this was supplied with a decent bag that allows the sail to the left on deck ready for use, just as easily as for a roller furling sail. It therefore doesn’t have to be removed and stowed below deck at the end of every trip.

A common drawback with smaller boats is that when sailing shorthanded you are limited to relatively low specification autopilots. However, in common with racing Minis, this boat has quadrants below deck that allows a top-notch system to be fitted.

A generous 3m beam means the cockpit has the feel of that of a much larger yacht, yet it’s an easy step up onto the side decks to go forward. Despite the large coachroof, these have plenty of width and the lower shrouds are taken to the cabin sides, so movement forward is unrestricted. There’s a decent toerail of around 1.5 inches height, very good moulded nonslip and coachroof handrails.

On the downside, our test boat was fitted with shorter 18 inch stanchions. While they are within regulation for both the RCD and racing on a boat of this size, I’d prefer to see full height 24 inch stanchions, which would give a greater feeling of security.

A big locker under the cockpit has space for fenders, warps, ground tackle and even a small dinghy. The hydraulic lifting keel has a 400kg bulb, giving shallow draught for cruising, with the ability to dry out using optional beaching legs.

Under sail

The form stability of this boat is so great that the moment you step on board it has the feeling of a much larger yacht – unlike most 21 footers it doesn’t immediately lurch when you step on the side deck. However, the ease of pushing off the dock is a welcome reminder that this boat weighs only 1,200kg.

One of the delights of sailing a small boat, even one this powerful, is how easy everything is. We popped the mainsail up within the confines of the La Rochelle’s Port les Minimes marina and hoisted the masthead A2 spinnaker immediately outside the harbour entrance.

At this stage there was no more than 4-6 knots of wind, yet our boat speed on a broad reach was soon touching 5 knots, as the apparent windspeed built thanks to our own acceleration. Even in the many holes in the fitful offshore breeze we never stopped and acceleration in any gusts was brisk. This all but eliminated any concerns about the range of the Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 electric outboard on the transom.

As the afternoon wind started to fill in we were soon reaching off towards Ile de Ré at 6 to 7 knots. It was absolutely effortless sailing with the pilot steering and no worries about its ability to cope in gusts. This boat’s massive form stability means it does not respond to gusts in the way lesser vessels react. Heel only increases very marginally, the tiller remains light, and weather helm builds very, very slowly. Add to that a decent below deck pilot and you have a boat that’s very easy to sail without being physically tiring.

A continuing trend in the Mini class has been for the boom to get progressively lower. The same is also true of the foot and clew of spinnakers. This makes it difficult to see past the kite, and those accustomed to larger boats may find the boom in the way.

However, these are not intrinsic problems with this boat. A discussion with a sail maker could raise both the aft end of the boom (with a higher clew for the mainsail) and create a higher clued spinnaker that it’s easier to see underneath.

What about upwind speed? This is where smaller boats with their inevitably short waterline lengths often suffer. Beating in 6-8 knots of true wind we maintained 5.5 knots boatspeed, with flashes of 6 knots in the stronger puffs.

Of course, speed alone is only half the equation when sailing to windward – tacking angles are just as important. This is another area in which this boat scores highly – despite the light conditions we repeatedly tacked through 80 degrees. As a result we were faster up wind than several 1980s 36-38ft cruiser-racers.

It’s a shame that we were not able to test the boat in much stronger winds. However a couple of my colleagues from French sailing magazines had been out two days earlier in 25 knots, with stronger gusts. The boat was comfortable upwind with a reef in the main and the slab reef in the jib. Downwind with a kite up they notched up speeds well into the teens, again under good control.

Interior

Below decks is a very interesting open plan interior with a large properly rectangular double bunk forward. Overall, it’s a bright and appealing space with a folding two leaf table that will seat six and a basic galley around the keel box. The companionway is offset to port, which means those sitting around the starboard side of the saloon table aren’t in the way of anyone wanting to get in or out of the boat.

Unlike most boats of this size the saloon doesn’t feel claustrophobic with four people and there’s impressive stowage. The wide beam gives space for deep bins outside of the settees and the forward double berth that will easily swallow a dozen kit bags or sail bags.

There are also two generously proportioned quarter berths, meaning four people can be accommodated comfortably without using the saloon settees. Sitting headroom is ample, but for some the biggest downside is the lack of an enclosed heads compartment. Instead, a chemical toilet can be stowed behind the companionway steps and slid forward for use when necessary.

In many ways this is entirely in keeping with the builder’s plan to create a modern day Muscadet or Coco. These 21ft mini offshore yachts from the 1960s and 1980s respectively now have a cult-like following in France, while the former played a big part in the democratisation of sailing in the country as Eric Tabarly rose to fame.

This article first appeared in the July 2022 issue of Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting magazine.

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